Overview

Quite a bit of discussion regarding wireless communications has already been covered in earlier chapters. However, a combination of two separate services and technologies are merging as new services for broadband communications. These two services include long haul communications and the use of personal communications services (PCSs). The technologies include the use of satellite and the cellular concepts combined. Worldwide communications services can be achieved by these two combined services, therefore some diligent effort should be made to understand just what is happening in this arena. This truly brings home the concept of communications from anywhere to anywhere. The thought of being out in the middle of a lake and receiving a call, or rafting down a river and making a call, boggles the mind. This is especially true when thinking about some of the more rural areas in the world where no telephone service infrastructure exists today. Yet, in a matter of a few years these remote locations, on mountaintops, in forests, in valleys, or on the sea will all be reachable within a moment's notice. The infrastructure of a wired world will not easily lend itself to this need, due to timing and cost issues. Therefore, the use of a wireless transmission system is the obvious answer.

However, the use of cellular and personal communications devices still leaves a lot to be desired. First, the deployment of these services is always going to be in the major metropolitan areas, where the use and financial payback will...